Buying a car off Ebay

[GregB]

My car has just broken down (alternator has gone). It is also due its Mot at the end of the month and I suspect that it might be uneconomic to bring it up to scratch. I am therefore thinking about buying a cheap car. I will be looking around autotrader and local free ads but I am also thinking of ebay. Has anyone done this before and, if so , are there are any suggestions, pitfalls to avoid etc.?

I am after an Automatic but age/model etc are not that important. Here is one that looks like thr type of thing I would be interested in eBay (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-1751-2978-71/1?AID=5463217&PID=582776&mpre=http%3A//cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-HONDA-ACCORD-2-2-VTEC-FULLY-LOADED_W0QQitemZ280078773787QQihZ018QQcategoryZ18206QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[Unclegrump]

I bought my cheapo commute car (93 Celica) from eBay but spent a lot of time looking at them.

Only thing I would suggest is that if you think you have found one, try and view it beforehand and ask the seller if they have already done a HPI check. Also, it could be worth looking at people (traders) who are selling from home or selling their old stock via eBay - some have great feedback whilst others are a bit rotten.

Good Luck!

[wack]

Only thing I would suggest is that if you think you have found one, try and view it beforehand and ask the seller if they have already done a HPI check.


the sellers HPI check is worthless as it only covers the previous owner, if they have HP on it or have written it off and bought it back from the insurance only your HPI check will show it.

If you're only buying a car for a few hundred pounds I doubt a HPI check is worth the money

[typing00]

eBay is just another advertising medium for the seller. Best is if you could arrange to see the car (http://www.samarins.com/check/index.html) first before the auction ends.

[johnson293]

eBay is just another advertising medium for the seller. Best is if you could arrange to see the car (http://www.samarins.com/check/index.html) first before the auction ends.
Agree with above.

I have sold 2 cars on eBay, despite them being advertised simultaneously in the Autotrader (mag & web).

Both times I advised on my listing that potential bidders/buyers were welcome to view the car prior to bidding/buying.

I know I wouldn't bid for/buy a car without actually seeing it 'first hand', if you like.

Photos (and Photoshop) :suspect: can hide a multitude of sins!!!

MJ

[GregB]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Foruantely my service and MOT was far cheaper than I was expecting so I'm sticking with my Mondeo for the time being. I;m sure I'll revisit this thread when it does finally die. Cheers